OEM Shocks lifespan? when to replace/how?

[Louk]

I apologize if this has been stated but i couldn't find it.
Understanding it depends on your usage, I have seen varying information on the service life for factory shocks. I have also not been able to find pricing for OEM replacement. Granted i have not called a local stealership to ask about replacement (which might be the only option). Anyone know what the going rate for OEM is??

Looking to aftermarket the new carbon options are very nice. I can't seem to find the stage 1 version, only stage 2 shows up on the site. Currently only at 43K so do not believe they are anytime soon....but i still like to plan out my mods.

 

[OnTheReel]

Looks like ~$800 a corner (plus shipping) through discount online dealers for OEM parts. Not too bad really.

I would imagine at 100k+ they start getting tired like any other shock. Leaks and noises are the things that I look out for. Had a rear one replaced under warranty at very low mileage, but otherwise everything has been fine so far.

 

[Louk]

Thanks for the info!
3200 for all four doesn’t seem horrible.
I will probably plan for around 100K barring any issues beforehand

 

[Fifty]

As soon as you start feeling the wiggle in the rear. Then the rears are gone.

The fronts will be a chatter on the street regardless of tire pressure

I have 1 rear and 1 front (maybe the second rear is gone too) at under 10k miles. But that was some hard off-roading and testing.

If you have aftermarket carbon, king, fox, ads etc, 30k miles for rebuilds and that number shrinks with off-roading

That being said, some go 50k with no issues other that cooked oil which effects its dampening.

You never realize how bad your shocks are until you replace them.

 

[XSTNKT]

So, I’m assuming the Bilsteins aren’t rebuildable?

Being that I’m a former Raptor owner, I was figuring a rebuild at 60k-ish… but they need completely replaced?

Also, if you go aftermarket, I’m assuming you loose the electronic adjustability, right?

 

[Louk]

Good info fifty, I’m assuming a rebuild is cheaper than replacement down the line as well. So that factors into cost too.

And yes from everything I have seen the stock bilsteins are sealed/not serviceable.

 

[shapiroeric]

So, I’m assuming the Bilsteins aren’t rebuildable?

Being that I’m a former Raptor owner, I was figuring a rebuild at 60k-ish… but they need completely replaced?

Also, if you go aftermarket, I’m assuming you loose the electronic adjustability, right?

Yea my Raptor went 70K before needing new shocks all the way around.....

 

[XSTNKT]

Yea my Raptor went 70K before needing new shocks all the way around.....

That reminds me, I still have an extra set in storage that I need to get rid of. It was just easier to have two sets, with one rebuilt and ready to swap in on the shelf.

 

[Fifty]

I looked into trying to get rebuild kits for the bilsteins. Nope.
And if if you commissioned seals, you would need to buy new hoses and reservoirs. That significantly ups the price.

 

[mplovett]

As soon as you start feeling the wiggle in the rear. Then the rears are gone.

The fronts will be a chatter on the street regardless of tire pressure

I have 1 rear and 1 front (maybe the second rear is gone too) at under 10k miles. But that was some hard off-roading and testing.

If you have aftermarket carbon, king, fox, ads etc, 30k miles for rebuilds and that number shrinks with off-roading

That being said, some go 50k with no issues other that cooked oil which effects its dampening.

You never realize how bad your shocks are until you replace them.

Same here... one went out at like 18k miles of medium-level offroading. And the rest were not great either, by how much better it felt after I replaced them... unless the Carbons really are THAT MUCH BETTER! Now, full send!

 

[Dubstep Shep]

I looked into trying to get rebuild kits for the bilsteins. Nope.
And if if you commissioned seals, you would need to buy new hoses and reservoirs. That significantly ups the price.

Got a link to a thread detailing this? I figured you might already lol.

I design hydraulic seals for a living and we have quite the network of vendors for those. Seals are cheap, especially for nitrogen and hydraulic fluid.

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

As soon as you start feeling the wiggle in the rear. Then the rears are gone.

The fronts will be a chatter on the street regardless of tire pressure

I have 1 rear and 1 front (maybe the second rear is gone too) at under 10k miles. But that was some hard off-roading and testing.

If you have aftermarket carbon, king, fox, ads etc, 30k miles for rebuilds and that number shrinks with off-roading

That being said, some go 50k with no issues other that cooked oil which effects its dampening.

You never realize how bad your shocks are until you replace them.

Interesting. I'm sure ours are on their way out but they still feel pretty dang good. It's hard to say for sure as shock fade is usually pretty gradual so it's often not as noticeable compared to a total shock failure. Similar to how I'm not fitting into my pants anymore and I cant blame the wife b/c i havent sent them to the wash in a while. I've just gradually gotten fat aF...without really noticing

 

[thewrx]

They way they are built, they should last well beyond a normal shock, doesnt have a bunch of tiny shims and lots of seals to fail. Abuse will of course expedite that, but normal driving be a while, I have 115k and ride good, springs are sagging a little maybe 1/2-3/4 ride height, can only slightly tell when parked to a newer trx.

 

[Fifty]

They way they are built, they should last well beyond a normal shock, doesnt have a bunch of tiny shims and lots of seals to fail. Abuse will of course expedite that, but normal driving be a while, I have 115k and ride good, springs are sagging a little maybe 1/2-3/4 ride height, can only slightly tell when parked to a newer trx.

Actually, they do have shims on the main piston. And if you consider the electronic spool valve assembly, then even more seals.

And much less oil than a 2.5” body shock of the same travel.

I’d like to find a low mileage street only shock and then my low mileage tons of Offroad shock and take them apart. And send the oils out for analysis to see how they have deteriorated

I feel like the spool valve motors are another point to look at. Do they get effected by dust, oil heat cooking them (it doesn’t get that hot, maybe 225° when cranking), and compare what the reaction rate is on a good shock vs a beaten shock.

 

[XSTNKT]

Actually, they do have shims on the main piston. And if you consider the electronic spool valve assembly, then even more seals.

And much less oil than a 2.5” body shock of the same travel.

I’d like to find a low mileage street only shock and then my low mileage tons of Offroad shock and take them apart. And send the oils out for analysis to see how they have deteriorated

I feel like the spool valve motors are another point to look at. Do they get effected by dust, oil heat cooking them (it doesn’t get that hot, maybe 225° when cranking), and compare what the reaction rate is on a good shock vs a beaten shock.

It would be interesting to tear a few apart... but wouldn't Bilstein have already spent a fortune to log all this data you are speaking of? Seems like a whole lot of work to discover territory that is already covered. If that's your hobby, I certainly understand that.

I understand and can appreciate the aftermarket has great options for purpose-built off road shock packages. The stock Bilsteins were created for the truck, and all of the demands Stelantis had on making them "do all things".... when you design something with this expectation, you design something that is not particularly awesome at any given task. It's a win if the design is mediocre at ALL the tasks. I think Bilstein hit that mark on our shock package.

Maybe it's new to me and that is why I like it... but I really dig the push-button ride changes. That may get old once I settle into the "mode" that I decide I'll use the most. Then I might look at options that match that performance level in the aftermarket.

 

[Fifty]

It would be interesting to tear a few apart... but wouldn't Bilstein have already spent a fortune to log all this data you are speaking of? Seems like a whole lot of work to discover territory that is already covered. If that's your hobby, I certainly understand that.

I understand and can appreciate the aftermarket has great options for purpose-built off road shock packages. The stock Bilsteins were created for the truck, and all of the demands Stelantis had on making them "do all things".... when you design something with this expectation, you design something that is not particularly awesome at any given task. It's a win if the design is mediocre at ALL the tasks. I think Bilstein hit that mark on our shock package.

Maybe it's new to me and that is why I like it... but I really dig the push-button ride changes. That may get old once I settle into the "mode" that I decide I'll use the most. Then I might look at options that match that performance level in the aftermarket.

I hear you.

I’ve consulted (and deeper) with a few shock and suspension companies over the last… (man I’m getting old).

Including being mentored by the guy behind ‘s zr2 suspension and shock project. At the end of the day it’s still price point and 36k miles.

I was a big fan of Bilsteins original Blackhawk program, billet bypass bodies of yuminess.
I do feel that the oem shocks have great potential but the computer algorithms suck and for anyone not on a dedicated short course, they are unable to show their full potential. And at the end of the day, the oil will break down.

Gen 1 raptors had initial build intervals of 15k miles I believe. And those shocks had a lot less weight, a lot more oil etc
I’m trying to remember what the gen2 interval was but I’m out and about.

Bilstein and SRT were planning on releasing a larger body shock for the trx. Bolt in to work with the factory computer. I never asked directly if the factory algorithm would be changed but from discussions last fall, I think that was the plan.
Stellantis points the finger at bilstein and bilstein custom shop points the finger at ram as to why the project was cancelled.

I think they looked at Kings sad trx shock sales and didn’t think anyone would buy the larger shocks for their trx. Sadly that project is dead.

That’s why I looked into modifying the oem shocks, which wasn’t worth it. And then having shocks designed for the trx.

I run temp strips on all my shocks on all my vehicles to compare seal head heat, port heat, resie heat, blah blah blah blah to collect data.
There are gains to be made.

Sadly, just with out the push buttons.

I had an idea about 3d metal printing and adding the oem electronic valves to aftermarket shocks. But we would be back in the $10k per set of 4 territory.
Not sure how many people would want to spend that when the gains are not that much over a proper shock

 

[XSTNKT]

I hear you.

I’ve consulted (and deeper) with a few shock and suspension companies over the last…

Gen 1 raptors had initial build intervals of 15k miles I believe. And those shocks had a lot less weight, a lot more oil etc
I’m trying to remember what the gen2 interval was but I’m out and about.

The Gen 2 Raptor interval is 50k. I just had a spare set on the shelf to swap in rotation.

Interesting stuff and good history of the project! Thanks for sharing the background. You are absolutely right on the price point and 36k mile mentality.